INTRODUCTION TO SYLLABLE STRESS, LITERARY FOOT, AND METER.

INTRODUCTION TO SYLLABLE STRESS, LITERARY FOOT,

AND METER

When we mark the pronunciation of words, depending on the dictionary used, stressed syllables are indicated by a diagonal line, (/), or a macron(-) over the stressed syllables. A small curving loop (u) or a small (x) goes over the unstressed syllables. A unstressed syllable may also be left blank or unmarked. Another pronunciation mark is a schwa ( ). This symbol represents a vowel sound heard in unstressed syllables.

Our example sentences would be marked to show the stressed and unstressed as follows:

/ u u / u / u / u / u / uAN tho ny will re BEL a GAINST his FATH er’s WISH es.

/ u u u / u u / u u / u / u GEN er al d AV is deCIDed to CRUSH the REB el / uSOLD iers.

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Notice that the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in bold does not necessarily correspond to the number of words used. One must always listen for that heartbeat pattern 'du-DUH, du-DUH.' The unstressed syllable may start in one word and the stressed syllable may follow in a completely different word.